Club 80-90 Forums

Hi folks, apologies if any similar issue has been raised before, I couldn't find it.

Anyhoo, for the last 6 weeks or thereabouts, I've been finding that for the first 10 minutes, 5 or 6 miles, or so of driving my van (1981, 2l Aircooled, manual gears) I can get into any gear no problem. As the van warms up, it becomes increasingly difficult to get into 1st gear, to the point where it becomes impossible. 2nd gear also seems to become progressively stickier, but I've never been in a position (yet!) where I cant get it into gear and get on the move.

I had the clutch replaced around 6 months ago, and for c4 monts all was well. Thats my 2nd new clutch since I bought my van 4.5 years and c20,000 miles ago.

I'm no mechanic, but if anyone can help me ask the right questions of the mechanic I'll be taking it to I'd be really grateful!

Thanks.

It's possible that your clutch isn't disengaging properly. Once it gets to the point where first is difficult to engage have you tried it with the engine switched off? I had a similar problem a few months ago (except that my problem was with getting out of gear) so I changed the slave cylinder, and although that improved it a bit the biggest improvement came when I flushed through my old, dirty hydraulic fluid - I think the old fluid had become contaminated and was becoming compressible once it got hot.

If you have a hydraulic clutch, then I had a similar problem earlier this year. It turned out to be a brand new faulty slave cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid. Check the fluid reservoir to see if the level has dropped dramatically. If it has you have a fluid leak somewhere. If the level is fine you may have air in the system.

Just wonder if the previous clutches were replaced due to oil contamination and also wonder if when it happens it crunches when selecting reverse.

Jeez, that was quick!!

With the engine turned of it slots in and out of all gears no problem.

Proper daft question.....how would I know if I have a hydraulic clutch??

Yes, it crunches really badly going into reverse.

Thanks folks!

Hello,

2 litre CU... cable clutch..

Probably needs adjusting..

Jack up rear nearside, remove wheel.. you will see the adjuster.. sort of a butterfly screw..

You need a pair of locking pliers to hold the solid section of the cable and wind in 3 turns.. try again..

The bad news is your cable has probably stretched..and run out of adjustment.. so a new cable will be needed..

Should have done it when you had the clutch changed..

Have fun..

Aircooled bliss...

Cordialement,

You sure sarran? My Cu had a hydraulic clutch

Ct s have cable clutch

mine was hydraulic on a v plate.

another culprit is the spiggot bearing....mine would change gear when engine not running....start the engine....no movement on the gear change

Hello,



forgot.. the van I worked on started out life as a CT...then had a CU put in..

Right.. usual hydraulic clutch issues..bleeding.. broken bleed nipple.. duff slave cylinder..

Thats why a cable is soooo simple!!

Cordialement,

If it crunches badly going into reverse and revs are at normal tickover speed then it would seem to be clutch not clearing as said and maybe flywheel needle roller bearing is collapsing and nipping spigot shaft as said. Can you observe clutch arm movement on box with somone operating pedal. If there's not much, maybe clamp flexi hose near slave cyl and try pressing pedal to tell if master cyl" holds pressure"

Thanks for all of the responses folks, much appreciated.

Hi, clutch cable adjusted and problem solved!

Cheers folks.